Life is Tricky

You'd think at 61 I'd have something profound to say. Something about my life's journey and then have loads of helpful advice for younger folk.

Whenever I go to a birthday party, or have an opportunity to talk to someone on their birthday, I always ask:

What have you learned?

Looking back, it's amazing to think of all I've seen. I was born in the rural south on January 15, 1951 in a small four-room camp house with no plumbing.

I'd be willing to bet my family was well below the poverty line in the early years, but I never knew it. We always had food to eat, and clothes on our backs.

I got through school, got a little college under my belt, got drafted, saw the world, got married, got a decent job, got more college, got promoted, saw more of the world, worked hard, saved money, retired, and here I am -- at 61.

I'd like to be able to give some good advice to those younger folks, but all I can say with certainty is that life is tricky, change is inevitable, and you should take care of your knees.

So there. That's my advice on my 61st birthday.